Top Swan backs side’s fitness

THEY were blown away in the second half by Hawthorn in the qualifying final two weeks ago, and had to withstand a last-quarter surge by Carlton in last week's semi-final.

But Sydney Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh says his team can match it with Fremantle for four quarters in tomorrow's preliminary final at Patersons Stadium.

"We rate our fitness, we rate our mids (midfielders), the way we run and we've got full faith that we can get over the line," he said.

"Yeah they'll be fresh, but we feel great after the (Carlton) game, we've recovered pretty well."

Sydney's engine room of McVeigh, Kieren Jack, Josh Kennedy, Ryan O'Keefe and Luke Parker have played every game this season, while Dan Hannebery missed only the round 23 clash against Hawthorn with bone bruising.

Defenders Ted Richards, Heath Grundy and Nick Malceski, plus ruckman Mike Pyke, have also played all 24 Swans games this season.

In contrast, only Ryan Crowley, Tendai Mzungu, Danyle Pearce and Matt de Boer have featured in every match for a Fremantle side that had last week off after beating Geelong.